"The two men stood face to face, wearing only their pants. Kunak looked small next to the great bulk of Alornek.

'You first,' Kunak said. He braced his legs.

Alornek made a fist of his hands, pulled back and hit Kunak on the shoulder. The blow shuddered Kunak's body, but he did not move.

Again and again Alornek hit him, in the stomach, on the chest. Each time Kunak's body quivered, but he did not step back. Everyone was quiet, even babies seemed to know this was a serious business."

Illustration: page 65